Air Fryer Pizza Meatball Subs Delight

Craving a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that’s ready in minutes? These Air Fryer Pizza Meatball Subs are the answer! Imagine warm, toasted buns filled with savory meatballs, melted mozzarella, and a touch of garlic butter, all infused with the classic flavors of pizza. It’s comfort food at its finest.

Get ready to bite into a delicious sub loaded with cheesy goodness and savory meatballs – a delightful twist on pizza night!

Recipe Details

• Flavor Profile: Savory, cheesy, and packed with classic pizza flavors with a touch of garlic.
• Textures: Soft, tender meatballs paired with gooey melted cheese, crisp pepperoni slices, all nestled in toasted buns.
• Total Time: Approximately 20 minutes active time.
• Difficulty: Easy – perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend lunch.

What You’ll Need

This recipe comes together with a few simple ingredients: frozen meatballs for convenience, hot dog buns to cradle all the deliciousness, pepperoni and pizza sauce for classic flavors, and mozzarella cheese for that perfect melt. Finally, a touch of butter, garlic powder and parsley elevates the whole experience.

Ingredient Notes

• Frozen Meatballs – Using frozen meatballs saves time without sacrificing flavor. Choose your favorite brand or type, or even make your own for a homemade touch!
• Hot Dog Buns – These create the perfect vessel for these subs, providing a soft yet sturdy base.
• Beef Pepperoni Slices – Adds a classic tangy flavor and delightful texture.
• Pizza Sauce – Use a good quality pizza sauce for the best flavor.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – This is the classic melting cheese for pizza, adding gooey goodness.
• Butter – Adds a rich, savory flavor that enhances the overall taste.
• Garlic Powder – Infuses a savory garlicky flavor into the subs.
• Chopped Parsley – Adds a fresh, bright note to the subs, and a touch of visual appeal.

Add-ins and Substitutions

• Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
• Use a different cheese, like provolone or a blend.
• Add sliced mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers to the buns before adding the cheese and meatballs.

How to Make Air Fryer Pizza Meatball Subs

Follow these easy steps to make delicious air fryer pizza meatball subs.

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cook the Meatballs: Place the 16 frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, until they are heated through.
3. Prepare the Buns: While the meatballs are cooking, line the hot dog buns with beef pepperoni slices.
4. Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon 1/2 of the pizza sauce over the pepperoni and top with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Assemble the Subs: Once the meatballs are cooked, place 4 meatballs in each bun. Add the subs to the air fryer.
6. Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon chopped parsley.
7. Add the Garlic Butter: Brush the garlic butter mixture over the buns.
8. Add More Sauce and Cheese: Spoon the remaining pizza sauce over the meatballs. Top with the remaining cheese and pepperoni.
9. Finish and Serve: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the buns are lightly toasted.

Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and toasting!

Recipe Tips

• Watch the cheese closely to prevent burning during the final air frying step.
• For extra flavor, slightly toast the buns before adding the ingredients.
• Experiment with different types of pepperoni for varied flavors.
• Use a kitchen brush to apply the garlic butter evenly.
• If your air fryer is small, cook the meatballs in batches.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meatball? Yes, you can use any type of pre-cooked meatball, just adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Can I make these ahead of time? You can assemble the subs ahead of time, but wait to air fry them until just before serving.
• Can I use different cheeses? Absolutely! Mozzarella isn’t the only option. Provolone, Monterey Jack or a blend of Italian cheeses would also be delicious.
• How do I store leftovers? Store leftover subs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or microwave.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a side of your favorite salad, such as a simple garden salad or Caesar salad.
• Serve with a side of coleslaw.
• Pair with some crispy potato wedges or french fries.
• Add a dipping sauce like ranch dressing or extra pizza sauce.

Make This Recipe in Advance

You can prepare the garlic butter, chop the parsley, and assemble the subs ahead of time. Store the assembled subs in the refrigerator until you’re ready to air fry them. This makes weeknight dinner even faster!

Air Fryer Pizza Meatball Subs Delight

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• Author: Emma Hart
• Total Time: 20
• Yield: 8 subs 1x
• Diet: Halal

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Description

These air fryer pizza meatball subs combine savory beef meatballs, melted mozzarella, garlic butter, and tangy pepperoni in soft hot dog buns. A quick, crowd-pleasing meal with classic pizza flavors.

See also  Creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

16 frozen beef meatballs

8 hot dog buns

1/2 cup pizza sauce

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup Beef pepperoni slices

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon chopped parsley

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 teaspoon olive oil (for garlic butter blend)

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Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C)
Place frozen meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket
Cook meatballs for 10 minutes until heated through
While meatballs cook, split hot dog buns and brush lightly with olive oil
In a small bowl, mix butter, garlic powder, and parsley
Once meatballs are done, spoon pizza sauce into each bun
Top with a meatball, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni slices
Spray the buns lightly with water to melt cheese
Return to air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts
Brush tops with garlic butter mixture

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of Italian seasoning
Use halal-certified pepperoni if available
Substitute mozzarella with provolone or a melting cheese blend
Sprinkle red pepper flakes for heat
Cool meatballs in fridge before freezing for future use

• Prep Time: 5
• Cook Time: 15
• Category: lunch
• Method: Air frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 sub
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 65mg